The Meitei Heritage Society has raised concerns over a controversial exam question in the Agricultural Development Officer Examination, leading to its cancellation by the Assam Public Service Commission.
In a significant development, the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has cancelled a question from a recent examination after the Meitei Heritage Society expressed concerns that it unfairly portrayed the Meitei community. The contentious question was part of the Agricultural Development Officer Examination, which took place on August 10.
The Meitei Heritage Society, which advocates for the Meitei community, submitted a formal representation to the APSC highlighting their grievances. In their communication, they stated, “We write to express our deep concern regarding a disturbing and misleading question included in the Agricultural Development Officer Examination conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) on August 8, 2025.”
The specific question in question, identified as Question No. 95 of Series A, and its equivalents in other series, referenced the ongoing violence in Manipur. The Society argued that the question selectively maligns the Meitei community by depicting Meitei groups as perpetrators of rights abuses. They emphasized that this portrayal neglects the severe atrocities, killings, and displacements that the Meitei people have suffered at the hands of Chin-Kuki militants and their civil society organizations.
The Society further criticized the inclusion of such a question, asserting that it is “unbecoming of a Public Service Commission, whose mandate is to recruit public servants committed to fairness, impartiality, and service to the nation without prejudice.”
In response to the controversy, the APSC has denied any malicious intent behind the inclusion of the question regarding the violence in Manipur. The Commission maintains that its objective is to ensure a fair examination process and uphold the integrity of the selection process for public service roles.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about the representation of communities in educational and examination materials, particularly in sensitive contexts such as ongoing conflicts. The Meitei Heritage Society’s actions highlight the importance of ensuring that all communities are portrayed accurately and fairly in public examinations.
As the situation continues to develop, the implications of this incident may extend beyond the examination itself, potentially influencing how future questions are framed and the considerations that public service commissions take into account when developing examination content.
According to The Sunday Guardian, the cancellation of the question reflects the ongoing tensions in Manipur and the need for sensitivity in addressing issues related to community representation.
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